Hi all,
I'm buying my first boat, and need some advice...
These are my specs
1. I live in Australia but am going to buy the boat in New Zealand.
2. 5 ft 1 (2, if I stand on my toes), <55kgs, female
3. paddle solid grade 3, and non scary grade 4s
4. suck seriously at playboating, but suspect that I'm yet to hop in a boat that's small enough for me
5. mainly a creeker/river runner
6. want a flat hull (I think that's what it's called) - nothing with a rounded bottom (eg a micro 230)
I was thinking about a phat, mac (if I can afford 1), method air, or maybe a java.
Any thoughts gratefully reveived
steff

Well I'm not a Bliss-Stick fan at all, but I would say the Scud is probably better then the Mac-1 if you want to playboat at all. They really don't have a good crossover boat.
Here are a few others that I would reccomend that a lot of girl paddlers love.

Dagger G-Ride 6.2 As a bonus there are some used ones out there. Leans more to the playboating side of things but can run class IV-V if needed.

Liquidlogic Trigger More river running but good play ability for basic stuff. And you have to love this "Designed specifically for paddlers under 150 lbs"
Good warrenty and customer support as well.

Liquidlogic CR Looks to be similar to the G-Ride but perhaps a little more playboat style with a completly flat bottom. Downside is it's not out yet and will cost a hefty sum.

Prijon Cross is a new one that is mostly river running and can play a little. Very class V capable, good for things in the long run with solid plastic.

The Phat is really not a playboat at all, neither is the mac nor the java. The method, I had one of these. Probably the most unpleasent boat I have ever paddled, ok for river running but pretty bad for playboating, no rocker to speak of.

If I were you I'd also consider the Dagger G-Force 5.9 or 6.1 and Kingpin 6.1 and 6.2
Both would surprisingly forgiving river runners for your size, while still having a full on playboating hull. Bonus is there are a lot of G-Forces out there selling for fairly low prices, about $300-400 US. Kingpin is still pulling in $450-600 US but should lose value soon. Good luck.

Hi,

I bought a Jackson 2Fun that my wife (5'3" /115 lbs) andmy son (10 years old) share.
Best purchase I ever made. It fits her like a fine sports car and my son plays the small features really well in it. It surfs really well too. He will grow fast and fit it really snug soon enough.
It is the first boat that my wife really is comfortable in.
If you can demo one, I strongly sugest that you do. It will run rivers for you really well and you should still be able to throw it around in the holes.
Give it a go!

It's difficult, if not impossible, to recommend boats to people you don't know and never have seen paddling. I can recommend a few boats I like, and what other people around me for their size and ability told me they like, but no way can I tell you what you are going to like and paddle safely.

Since you say you paddle solid grade III and some IV, you must know people in the sport, since you obviously don't paddle alone. I suggest you ask them, and try as many boats as you can.

Good luck and have fun!

If your buying in New zealand then why not check out there new small creeker the scud looks awsome and sounds like the right sorta boat for you!

TRY as MANY as YOU can no 1 else who dont no u can chose a boat 4 u u just need to keep trialing as many as you can until u like 1

Thanks for the input all. Looks like I'll be the proud owner of a phat in teh next 2 weeks.

I absolutely agree that trying as many boats as possible is the best idea, unfortunately the paddling scene down under (well, in Brisbane at least), is so small, it's almost impossible. Also, when I get to NZ, I need to hit the ground running, pick up the boat and get out to the mountains in a day...
I figure the phat will see me through nz, then I'll buy a play boat later.

Many thanks all
steff

steff I really wouldn't recommend the Phat for your size
serisouly if you're going to get a creeker then get a Java not a phat... i think you'll find the phat really really hard to drive

You're prolly already over in NZ by now though, have an awesome time. Where abouts in Aussie do you live? I'm in melbs but head up to penrith every now and again to boat - if you are somewhere in south eastern OZ then we should meet up and you can try my boats if you want...




Sarah

who makes the phat?

Perception Phat

8 ft 6 67.00 gal 110 to 230 lbs

Try this site for boat specs too www.kayaknews.ca/

it's also very good

Perception made the Java as their smaller creeker - for someone under 55kgs I think the Phat would be hard to paddle - the Java would be a better size.

Perception no longer make the Java which is a real pity for us smaller paddlers as there are very few small creekers on the market these days. Most of us have to resort to paddling a hybrid such as a the mamba or diesel because the creekers are all designed for larger, stronger paddlers and with males in mind rather than females. I don't care what anyone says about the fact that smaller paddler should be able to paddle any boat - if the footbraces don't come close enought, if the boat is so deep it comes up to your armpits and if it requires far reaching strokes to turn then it jsut doesn't work.

Wasn't saying that the Phat is a bad boat just the Java would be better suited for someone that small.

How bout a mac1 or a huka instead?

Scarah, I'm in Brisbane - which is abysmal for whitewater - do you get to the Nymbo often (that's sorta my local whitewater)?

steff

Yah.. the Java is a super-sweet boat. I ran great lines in semi-technical class IV. It's really nice. If they made them new i would own one right now!! The S fluid solo is also good. I foam under my boat to raise the seat about 2 inches very helpful for anyone. Get someone to help you outfit you boats with foam.

-nutblock
-thigh brace peices that hold you leg against the brace.